Will Messi Abandon Inter Miami's MLS Cup Dreams for Argentina Duty?
The November international window has commenced as reigning world champions Argentina continue their preparations for defending their crown at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.
La Albiceleste have already wrapped up their World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing at the summit of CONMEBOL's table and comfortably booking their place at the tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina must wait until December's draw to learn their group stage adversaries for the 2026 World Cup, but November's activities will help prepare them for the enlarged 48-nation tournament as they pursue consecutive titles.
Lionel Messi, predictably, has received a call-up to Lionel Scaloni's roster this month, though the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient confronts an uncommon situation as his club Inter Miami CF progresses through the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs.
When Do Argentina Play During November International Break?
Argentina have just one match scheduled during November. Their concluding fixture of the calendar year arrives against underdogs Angola in a friendly on Friday, Nov. 14, with the encounter taking them to the Estádio Nacional 11 de Novembro in Belas. The match begins at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT).
The South American powerhouse had another friendly scheduled in November against possible World Cup rivals Australia, but the encounter, originally planned for India on Nov.17, was delayed.
Consequently, Argentina will utilize their vacant schedule with a training camp in Spain for what represents their final assembly before March, 2026.
When Do Inter Miami Play in the MLS Cup?
Messi's campaign with Inter Miami approaches its end. The 38-year-old, who recently signed a three-year contract extension with the Herons, remains active in the postseason, and even achieved a remarkable new career landmark during triumph over Nashville SC in Round One of the Eastern Conference.
The Argentine, who netted four goals throughout the three-game series, will be vital to Inter Miami's advancement, with the Florida club meeting FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 23.
The contest will take place at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and the victor of the single-elimination match will secure their place in the Eastern Conference final.
Will Lionel Messi Play for Argentina?
With Inter Miami not scheduled until nine days following Argentina's friendly against Angola, it appears probable that Messi will earn his 187th international cap on Friday. The amount of playing time the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain icon receives remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, there exists the chance that Messi, along with Inter Miami and Argentina colleague Rodrigo De Paul, could be permitted to depart the Spanish training camp early to ensure additional preparation time for the pivotal MLS Cup playoff encounter with Cincinnati.
Messi, who has only featured for Argentina four times this calendar year, will be looking to increase his 114-goal record for La Albiceleste against Angola—an adversary he has only met once previously in May, 2006.